BNG In Plain English
The Environment Act 2021 requires most developments in England to deliver at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. If it can’t be achieved onsite, developers must purchase off‑site credits.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?
What is BNG?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) means leaving nature in a better state than before development takes place. It requires that the biodiversity value of a site is measurably increased compared to the pre-development baseline.
Why is it required?
Under the Environment Act 2021, most developments in England must deliver at least a 10% uplift in biodiversity. Local planning authorities now make this a condition of planning consent, so BNG is no longer optional — it’s a legal requirement.
Who needs credits?
Developers who cannot achieve the full 10% uplift onsite must deliver the balance elsewhere. To do so, they must purchase BNG credits from registered off-site habitat banks.
Who can create credits?
Landowners who commit part of their land to new or enhanced habitats can register BNG units. These are usually tied to a 30-year legal management agreement, with monitoring in place to ensure the biodiversity uplift is achieved.
Market size
£135-275m
estimated annual market size for BNG in England today
Requirement
91,000+
units expected to be required nationally by 2035
Legal requirement
10%
uplift in biodiversity is now a legal requirement for most developments
Term length
30 years
is the standard length term for habitat management agreements
The Market Simplified
1.
Supply
Landowners, working alongside ecologists and habitat management partners, create habitat banks that are registered and quantified as BNG units.
2.
Demand
Developers and housebuilders purchase the appropriate units to satisfy local planning requirements and unlock their developments.
3.
Broker
Taylor Edwards Group sits in the middle: we facilitate pricing, negotiate terms, and manage transactions so that both sides get a fair and efficient outcome.
The TEG Broker Model
Independent, conflict-free, and pragmatic. We are not tied to any single landowner, developer, or ecology firm — which means we act solely in the best interests of our clients. Our role is to match genuine demand with viable supply, structure deals that work for both parties, and keep the process moving swiftly from enquiry to completion.
About us
All enquiries handled with discretion. We do not share information without consent.
Information on this website is general and not legal advice. Biodiversity Net Gain outcomes depend on site‑specific factors and third‑party processes.
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